TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – With spring approaching, Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore is preparing for severe weather by teaching community members how to perform ISTAT assessments.
Moore instructed the Tyler Amateur Radio Club on how to conduct damage reports used by the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
“Training is really what we wanna do prior to any storms,” Moore said.
The ISTAT surveys help track damage and allow residents to submit up to 10 pictures along with location data to help authorities at local and state levels allocate resources.
“That helps us map damage, track damage, allows us to see what your needs are, stuff like that,” Moore said.
FEMA returned millions after 2024 storms
Moore said FEMA returned $8.4 million to Smith County residents affected during the spring storms of 2024. ISTAT reports are one of the tools FEMA uses to determine if help is needed and to what extent.
“When there’s severe mass damage, we can’t do it all, so them being able to do it themselves really helps,” Moore said.
Moore said the reporting process is straightforward.
“There’s an app for that!” Moore said.
Radio club members assist with communications
Moore advised using all 10 pictures allowed, capturing as much damage as possible while staying safe. During flooding, he recommended trying to capture the water line.
Members of the Tyler Amateur Radio Club can help submit these reports when regular communication lines are down.
“Those assessments need to come in when communication lines are still down, and we can use our assets to relay those,” said Andrew Bogue of the Tyler Amateur Radio Club.
Moore emphasized the reports supplement but do not replace insurance claims.
“This does not replace notifying your insurance or anything about your insurance, it only helps us,” Moore said.
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